Today:
Due east at 8:50 this evening, about half-way up from the horizon, the twin stars of Gemini mark the heads of Castor, above, and Pollux, below. The twins have a rich collection of mythology, often as sons of Leda, but having different fathers – Zeus and Tyndareus. Strange? Well, just remember it’s a myth. Joining the Twins, the red planet Mars appears below them, more of a salmon-pink hue.
Tuesday:
The brilliant bluish-white star Vega, appearing one quarter of the way above the northwest horizon as darkness settled in by 5:30 PM, does an interesting thing for the next month or so. It will set tonight about 8:30 PM far to the north. But it will rise again 5 and a half hours later at 2:00 AM, climbing into the northeast.
Wednesday:
High in the northern skies Cassiopeia, the Queen rules from her throne. Finding first the zig-zag of stars that looks like an “M” this time of year, use the fainter stars to perhaps see an upside down throne, the tall back angling lower to the right, and the legs extending up and left.